Murray, KY (Feb. 05, 2013) – Murray State University announced it will host the 2013

Murray State High School Fishing Open on Sunday, March 3 in partnership with FLW, The Bass Federation (TBF) and the Bluegrass State Games. The winning team will receive a $2,000 scholarship to attend Murray State while providing all teams the

chance to fish Kentucky Lake in advance of the first ever bass-fishing state championship sanctioned by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

While the tournament is open to student anglers from every state, the highest-finishing team from Kentucky will be invited to participate in a 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF)/FLW High School Fishing Conference Championship and may ultimately advance to the SAF/FLW High School Fishing National Championship for the chance to earn a $10,000 scholarship ($5,000 per student).

Each two-person team of students grades 9 through 12 in the Murray State Open will fish with a “coach” who provides the boat they compete in. Each team is allowed to weigh in five bass, and the team with the heaviest catch will earn a $2,000 scholarship to Murray State University.

“The first Murray State Open held in 2011 drew 73 teams from nine states,” said Dave Washburn, FLW Vice President of Operations. “With High School Fishing now a sanctioned sport in Illinois and Kentucky, plus growing interest nationwide, we expect to eclipse those numbers this year. This tournament provides students an opportunity to experience some of the best bass fishing in the nation while being hosted by one of the country’s top collegiate bass-fishing teams at Murray State.”

Participation is open to all high school students, including home schooled students, that are SAF members regardless of state of residence. SAF membership cost $25 per year and includes a digital subscription to FLW Bass Fishing magazine, insurance coverage while competing in SAF and KHSAA fishing tournaments (including the option to add a school as additionally insured), an exclusive online fishing education program, discounts on Coast Guard approved boater safety courses and many other benefits. Students 16 and older are also eligible to win great prizes in the monthly FLW Giveaway.

“Murray State was one of the first universities in the nation to embrace FLW College Fishing, and we are proud to be hosting high school students not only in this event, but also in the KHSAA High School Fishing State Championship later in the year,” Randy Dunn, Murray State University President, said. “Our location near Kentucky and Barkley lakes and highly-regarded bass-fishing club are appealing to many prospective students, so hosting those students on campus for tournaments such as these is a great fit for us.”

Students, along with their coaches, may register for the Murray State Open at HighSchoolFishing.org or by calling 580.765.9031 starting Jan. 14, 2013. There will be a mandatory rules briefing and safety meeting Saturday, March 2 in the Curris Center Theater at Murray State. There is no entry free, but students must be SAF members ($25 per year).

All participants are invited to take a free online test about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics at HighSchoolFishing.org to be eligible for contingency awards during the tournament.

Boats will be provided for high school anglers who need them at the conference championship and national championship level. Each team that qualifies for a conference championship and the national championship will also receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses.

Check-in and Onsite Registration: All teams must check-in Saturday, March 2 between 4-6 p.m. Central time at Murray State University’s Curris Center Theater located on the third floor at 314 Curris Center, Murray, KY 42071. A $25 late registration fee applies to those teams that did not register online.

Pretournament Meeting: A mandatory rules briefing and safety meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Curris Center Theater on Saturday, March 2.

Located just 20 minutes from the shores of Kentucky and Barkley lakes, Murray State University is ranked by Outdoor Life and FLW Magazine as one of the top universities in the country for outdoor recreation and fishing. Additionally, Forbes recently place Murray State on its “America’s Best College” list and rated the university a “Best College Buy.” For additional information, visit MurrayState.edu.

About FLW

FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2012 over the course of 191 tournaments across five tournament circuits, each providing an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and the world’s richest fantasy sports game – FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Bass Federation

The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years. Visit Bassfederation.com.

About The Bluegrass State Games

The Bluegrass State Games, presented by Subway Restaurants, is the signature event of the Bluegrass Sports Commission - an independent, non-profit 501c3 organization governed by a board of directors. Staged annually, the Games attract more than 16,000 participants in more than 35 sports every summer. Created by Governor Martha Layne Collins, 2013 will be the 29th year of the event. Visit bgsg.org.